English Translations of Scandinavian/Nordic Mysteries & Thrillers discussion

Thanks will pick it up!!

I enjoyed reading Asa Larsson's THE BLACK PATH. The characterisations, the plot the scenery. everything. Then everything was spoilt. The "Rambo" style ending. Commented in another forum how disappointed I was.

I finished Buried by Jussi Adler Olsen. Its not my favourite of his, it took a while to really get started, but it did pick up about half way and then I quite enjoyed it. I like Carl - he's a miserable sod but some of the things he says are quite funny (latest phrase he keeps using is Christ on a bike!) - but its Assad who steals it for me, brilliant!

I've started an excellent book by Michael Ridpath, Where the Shadows Lie. It's a must read for anyone who wants to know more about the culture, history, language and people of Iceland. It is also a wonderful storyline that features murder, Lord of the Rings, and the Sagas of Iceland. There is also lots of talk about elves and other unique topics. I am loving this book. Oh yes, there's an American from Boston who is the main character!

Glad you liked it. We read it when it came out. Michael responded to questions we had. We keep asking when the next book is coming. When Michael?

Was an excellent book.

Yes, I've read the all but book 2.5 which is a short story.
book 1. Where the Shadows Lie
book 2. Far North
book 2.5. Edge of Nowhere
book 3. Meltwater
book 4. Sea of Stone
You can look him up under Iceland. He contributes from time to time.

My local library just let me know today they finally got in 3 copies of Lars Kepler's 'The Sandman.' I'm very excited and would love to hear comments from anyone who has already read it.

Hi Deb - I've just read The Sandman and loved it. It was the 1st Lars Kepler title I'd read and I then realised there were other titles released prior that I hadn't read in the same series. It didn't matter tho. Dark and exciting. And sad.

Angela wrote: "Hi Deb - I've just read The Sandman and loved it. It was the 1st Lars Kepler title I'd read and I then realised there were other titles released prior that I hadn't read in the same series. It didn..." Yay! I can't WAIT to pick it up. You must read his others; Joona Linna's a very compelling character and I just love the atmosphere of the series.

Thanks for the comment! On to Lars Kepler!

The Hynotist is the first in the series and it was amazing! The other books are good as well.

I've read The Hypnotist and The Nightmare - both were excellent, real page turners.

Just finished The Sandman by Lars Kepler and should have read it sooner because I liked it giving it 5+ stars out of 5. Joona and Saga found everyone that they tried to find with a lot of deaths on the way. Quite, by the seat of your pants good. What a ending.

I was hearing so many good reviews about The Sandman that I couldn't wait for the library to get a copy...still hasn't come in!!! I was really blown away by this book. Definitely his best one yet. I have a feeling that there will be a follow-up to this book, don't you?

Marti sure do hope so!!

Sharon wrote: "Waiting in line is the new David Hewson novel, VOS #2 set in Amsterdam, The Wrong Girl."

Loved the first one must get this one

I'm reading After the Crash by Michel Bussi - really enjoying it.

Hi, I started reading the Stockholm trilogy by Jens Lapidus.

Listening to 'Eva's Eye' Karin Possum, wish more of her books were audio.

Sebastian Bergman by Michael Hjorth

DianeAlice wrote: "Sebastian Bergman by Michael Hjorth"

Yes I have enjoyed his books.Dark Secrets and The disciple. Well written. Not a particularly likable character. I am reading The Boy in the Shadows Carl Johan Vallgren. Enjoying it. Following his progress around Sweden. The names of the towns and cities are often spelt out. Almost like a tourist map.

I need help. I am reading Blood Split by Asa Larsson
and am having difficulty keeping track of what is going on. Has anybody else had this problem?
I love her heroine Rebecka Martinsson and her other books?

Elizabeth wrote: "I need help. I am reading Blood Split by Asa Larsson
and am having difficulty keeping track of what is going on. Has anybody else had this problem?
I love her heroine Rebecka Martinsson and her ot..."

Her books are great, I loved them. Stick with it.

Åsa Larsson. Sweden GREAT books
Sun Storm. ****** iBook. Rebecka Martinsson #1
The Blood Spilt. ****** iBook
The Black Path. ****** iBook
Until thy wrath be past. ****** iBook
The Second Deadly Sin. ****2013. iBook *********

Elizabeth wrote: "I need help. I am reading Blood Split by Asa Larsson
and am having difficulty keeping track of what is going on. Has anybody else had this problem?
I love her heroine Rebecka Martinsson and her ot..." Elizabeth. I know where you are coming from. I had a similar problem with "The Black Path" I love her characters. I love the settings for her books. However, the violence becomes very convoluted. I also found this with Jussi Alder Olsen.

Thanks Helen for your comments.It helps to know I am not alone in my having to read the same 20 pages over several times in some parts of the book. I will stick with it!

Just read The Boy in the Shadows Carl Johan Vallgren. Parts of it I enjoyed. Then there was the body count, the voodoo magic and the "Rambo" ending. Oh well. I am getting older.

Blood Split! I am sticking with it Sharon and it is all starting to come together and is beautifully written.

Just finished Backstrom: He Who Kills the Dragon by Leif G.W. Persson. It's the third book of his that I've read and finally enjoyed the book. I'm one who reads whether or not if I like the book or hate it. The first two I had trouble liking, but this one I finally liked. Now that he's written for TV everything is interesting.

I have come to love Blood Split. The writing is wonderful!

I, too, loved the Backstrom novel by Leif G.W. Persson. Was pleasantly surprised after trying to get through his earlier books. Really enjoyed the characters. Hope he has more Backstrom in the pipeline!

Just got The Silence of the Sea by Yrsa. Anxious to start


it

Has Peter Hoeg written any thing really great after "Semilla Sense of Snow"? Loved that book!

Elizabeth wrote: "Has Peter Hoeg written any thing really great after "Semilla Sense of Snow"? Loved that book!

I read one of his other books and thought it was awful. I am not sure of the title. I think the main character either was or had been a clown.

Thanks for the info.

Mary and Kenneth. I love G.W, Leif Backstrom. I eagerly await all his books. I think he is a real treasure. However, he is not everyone's cup of tea. I loved Linda, As in the Linda Murder and Free Falling, as If in a Dream The latter was made into a T.V series called "Death of a Pilgrim" I loved it too but you would have had to have read the book to follow the story.

Elizabeth wrote: "Just got The Silence of the Sea by Yrsa. Anxious to start


it"

Elizabeth, what is your opinion of Yrsa Sigurðardóttir's books? I just read the 2nd in her series, 'My Soul to Take' and even though I liked the first one 'Last Rituals' I actually began to actively dislike Thora by the middle of the 2nd book. I don't know if it is the writing, or the way she develops the character, but I found her selfish, irresponsible and pretty unlikeable. I actually had to force myself to finish the 2nd book and am not sure if I should try reading further into the series. I just felt like she takes on too much responsibility as an attorney, when she should be working more with the police? I can't put my finger on it exactly and wonder if anyone else felt the same. I've read many authors in this genre, and I must say this is the first one I've considered just dropping.

I read " Silence of the Sea" first and loved it. I then read "I remember you" a stand a lone without Thora. I enjoyed that also. I then started on "Someone to watch over me" it was okay. I then read "My soul to take" I became very bored The writing was clunky and the dramas too contrived, I don't know. I lost interest in the characters. Could not be bother with any more. Maybe she got better as she developed because her latter ones are definitely more readable. Unfortunately Jussi Alder Olsen has this effect on me also.

He has written other books just not up to par with Smilla.



The History of Danish Dreams 1988
Tales of the Night 1990
Smilla's Sense of Snow 1992
Borderline 1993
The Woman and the Ape 1996
The Quiet Girl 2006
The Elephant Keepers' Children 2010

Helen wrote: "I read " Silence of the Sea" first and loved it. I then read "I remember you" a stand a lone without Thora. I enjoyed that also. I then started on "Someone to watch over me" it was okay. I then r..." Helen, that is it exactly! it felt contrived, like I was picturing a bad Lifetime movie in my head while I was reading it, lol. I may try one more then. Or maybe some of hers w/o Thora!

I do believe that I like Yrsa's books because I started reading them in 2011- 2012. They were my first introduction to Nordic literature. I really liked "My Soul to Take", "Last Rituals", and "The Day is Dark".

I also started with Indriasson's books and became hooked.

I find that I have the same problem Helen with Joe Nesbo's books except I really disliked "The Bat."

Another Question? Are any other books by Sofi Oksanen"s besides "Purge" as powerful. "Baby Jane"?

Purge is a part of a quartet of books. The first book is "Stalin's Cows", then comes "Purge" followed by "When the Doves Disappeared". The last book of the quartet is going to be published next fall.

And yes, I liked Baby Jane, too. Not as good as Purge, though.

Got onto a website that discussed the Scandinavian attitude to Germany during the war. Very interesting. Some of our reading hints at it. However, not is at all what it appears. Asa Larsson's Till they wrath be past goes beneath this seemingly opposition to the Nazis. Mankell hints at it.

Fizzycola wrote: "Purge is a part of a quartet of books. The first book is "Stalin's Cows", then comes "Purge" followed by "When the Doves Disappeared". The last book of the quartet is going to be published next fal..."

Thanks so much for the info about "Purge" Can always count on Good Reads Nordic Crime group!! I will be hunting for those books.

I'm reading Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin. The film version is on BBC4 (UK) on Saturday so I thought I'd read the book first.

Maggie one of my favourite books of all time. This book got me started on Scandi Noir. He and Persson are my "go to" writers. Anything. Followed very close behind Indridision I have tried all the others but always come back to those three. And I especially focussed on the female writers. would love to know if this movie will ever be released in Australia. Enjoyment with both.

Elizabeth wrote: "I do believe that I like Yrsa's books because I started reading them in 2011- 2012" ...


Unfortunately, I didn't write reviews of the first 4 books, although I recall liking them and gave them 4 stars in retrospect. However, I do not care for supernatural elements which have figured in some of her books. I did not like the two most recent books as much and gave them both 3 stars. The main problem with Silence of the Sea as far as I am concerned was that there wasn't nearly as much Thóra as the other books.

I have not had a chance to start Silence of the Sea so cannot comment on that.

I have found that Indriasson's books have become rather
dull for me after reading so many. I hope that feeling goes away!

I have read a couple of Gerhardsen's books and love them. She really gets to the point.

Maggie, thanks for mentioning that the film of Echoes From the Dead is on on Saturday. I've just recently read and enjoyed that book so I'm looking forward to this. I probably wouldn't have noticed if you hadn't mentioned it.

I've enjoyed Gerhardsens first two books and have just bought the latest, The Last Lullaby.